Torrance CA vs Waterbury CT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Torrance
95,358
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Torrance
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Torrance
35.2
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Torrance
28.7%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Torrance
34.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Torrance
6.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Torrance
22.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Torrance
41.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Torrance
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,358 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 34.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 22.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 41.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Torrance
$118,253
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Torrance
$42,884
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Torrance
$77,230
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Torrance
5.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Torrance
7.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Torrance
26.2%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $118,253 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,884 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Torrance
$1,128,110
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Torrance
64.0%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,128,110 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
503
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
2388
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Torrance
14.0%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 40.5% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.1% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.1% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 18.5% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.2% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
62.6°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
14.5 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Torrance
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Torrance
44.9 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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